Tamil Nadu: Over Six Crore Commuters Use Chennai Metro In 2022

Chennai metro has recorded robust growth in its usage in 2022 with 6.09 crore commuters using it to reach their destinations in the city.

The mass transit network recorded 156 per cent increase in its users with just 25.19 lakh passengers travelling in it in January and a whopping 64.5 lakh commuters using it in December.

Officials of Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) attributed the high growth in its users to last mile connectivity options, like bike taxis and MTC mini bus services started at the metro stations.

CMRL introduced various initiatives like bike taxis at stations and gift vouchers for frequent users in March 2022 during which Chennai Metro has seen a 40 per cent rise in ridership, reports The Hindu.

CMRL is a joint venture of the Government of India and the Government of Tamil Nadu for the construction of the metro network in Chennai with loan assistance from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

Among all metro stations, Chennai Central recorded the maximum number with 18,000 to 20,000 passengers using it each day in December.

Chennai Metro: A rapidly expanding urban mass transport network

The Phase-I of Chennai metro consists of a 54.1 km network with two corridors (ie, Corridor-1 from Wimco Nagar to Airport and Corridor-2 from Chennai Central to St Thomas Mount).

There are 41 stations of which 21 are underground and 20 elevated. The entire Phase-I (ie, 54.1 km) is fully operational.

The ongoing expansion of Metro Phase-II will add an additional length of 118.9 km with 128 stations to the network. It consists of three corridors, namely Corridor-3 from Madhavaram to SIPCOT (45.8 km), Corridor-4 from Lighthouse to Poonamalle Bypass (26.1 km), Corridor-5 from Madhavaram at Sholinganallur (47 km).

The estimated cost of the project is‌‌ Rs 63,246 crore. Construction is expected to be completed by the end of 2026.